Rio Ferdinand - Biography and Images

Rio Ferdinand – born November 7, 1978 – is a pundit on BBC’s World Cup 2014 coverage in Brazil.

Ferdinand began his football career playing for various youth teams, finally settling at West Ham United where he progressed through the youth ranks and made his professional Premier League debut in 1996. He became a fan favourite, winning the ‘Hammer of the Year award’ the following season.

He earned his first senior international cap in a match against Cameroon in 1997, setting a record as the youngest defender to play for England at the time. His achievements and footballing potential attracted Leeds United and he transferred to the club for a record-breaking fee of £18 million. He spent two seasons at the club, becoming the team captain in 2001.

He joined Manchester United in July 2002 for around £30 million, breaking the transfer fee record once more. He won the Premier League, his first major club honour, in a successful first season at the club.

Ferdinand has three children, Lorenz, Tate and Tia, with his wife Rebecca Ellison. He was born into a footballing family: brother Anton Ferdinand is also a centre-back for Antalyaspor and former England international striker Les Ferdinand is his cousin, as is Peterborough United midfielder Kane Ferdinand.

Gabriel Gatehouse is a news correspondent for the BBC. He is the BBC’s International Editor for BBC Newsnight, and is Based in London. Formerly he was based in East Africa, Libya, Iraq, Russia and the Ukraine.